Will a Rooster Keep Drakes away from Chicken Hens?

[totes mcgoats]

I have free range chickens and just acquired ducks this year. The Male ducks have my chickens running scared. The Drakes are constantly trying to mate with the chickens, the ducks are much larger and stronger than the chickens. I was thinking of getting a bantam rooster. Would the rooster run off the ducks? I have full size chickens but don't want a large rooster to keep me away if you catch my drift. I like having my poultry out they seem much happier. Suggestions would be helpful.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I too have some ducks with my chickens, it seems to be an individual personality thing when it comes to who wins out between the ducks and chickens, but if I had drakes breeding my hens those drakes would get separated out and get their own pen. I don't know if even a feisty bantam rooster could keep them away, I would dought it as the chemistry between the species is already established.

 

[donrae]

My mature full size roosters move away from my drakes, so your plan won't work. Do you have duck hens for the drakes to mate?

I'd advise to confine the chickens and drakes apart. Chickens aren't designed for any penetration during mating, ducks are. A drake's sexual organ can injure a chicken hen internally.

 

[Rudies Roost]

I have free range chickens and just acquired ducks this year.  The Male ducks have my chickens running scared.  The Drakes are constantly trying to mate with the chickens, the ducks are much larger and stronger than the chickens.  I was thinking of getting a bantam rooster.  Would the rooster run off the ducks?  I have full size chickens but don't want a large rooster to keep me away if you catch my drift. I like having my poultry out they seem much happier.  Suggestions would be helpful.   

My rooster runs away from my 2 drakes but fortunately they don't bother my chicken hens as they have plenty of ducks to mate. I'm not convinced a bantam rooster would be effective but then all birds have different personalities. I'd get more female ducks for them or re-home the drakes...they will internally damage the hens.

 

[sourland]

Time to separate the drakes from the chicken hens before the hens are seriously injured. Donrae's post is right on the money. In addition to potential physical injury, harassment by the drakes will negatively impact egg production of your chicken hens.

 

[totes mcgoats]

Yeah, you all are right. I have 2 female ducks and 2 drakes. I just have to face it that if I want them to all be free range I'll have to get rid of the drakes. Thanks everyone for your help.

 

[sourland]

Try getting rid of the least aggressive of the two drakes. The remaining drake may start to behave.

 

[aart]

My mature full size roosters move away from my drakes, so your plan won't work. Do you have duck hens for the drakes to mate?

I'd advise to confine the chickens and drakes apart. Chickens aren't designed for any penetration during mating, ducks are. A drake's sexual organ can injure a chicken hen internally.

I recently had a vet tell me this is not true...egg way bigger than duck penis....but the drakes aggressiveness can certainly cause harm externally.

 

[drumstick diva]

Drake l'orange is certainly tasty.

 

[enola]

I recently had a vet tell me this is not true...egg way bigger than duck penis....but the drakes aggressiveness can certainly cause harm externally.  

Try googling what a drake's penis looks like and what it does. There is not a vet in the world that can convince me that damage will not occur when mating a chicken hen. Her sexual organs are not designed to accommodate his.